Uchiha Gōka's Confrontation with Konoha's Higher-Ups

The next morning.

Konoha, Hokage Building.

It was exceptionally lively.

Today was Konoha's monthly regular meeting.

The Hokage's higher-ups, all jonin, and important figures from the village had all come to the venue.

More importantly, the daimyo of the Land of Fire had also traveled from afar to attend this meeting.

Before long, all the attendees had arrived.

The venue was arranged in a rectangular layout.

The Third Hokage and the daimyo of the Land of Fire sat in the center.

Seated on the left were the aides and think tank brought by the daimyo of the Land of Fire.

Seated on the right were Danzo Shimura, Koharu Utatane, and the clan heads of the Hyuga, Shikamaru, Uchiha, and other clans.

Jonin such as Hatake Sakumo, Might Duy, Yūhi Shinku, Jiraiya, Tsunade, and Orochimaru—

Along with several other prestigious figures—

Were seated around them.

Besides that, Uchiha Gōka had brought the Grand Elder, Uchiha Setsuna, who was also seated nearby.

The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, let his gaze fall on Uchiha Gōka. His eyes narrowed slightly as he thought, Oh? Fugaku had always attended these meetings before.

This time, he has been replaced by that genius youth—Uchiha Gōka.

Danzo Shimura shot Uchiha Gōka a sidelong glance.

"Humph!"

Has that Uchiha brat really replaced Uchiha Fugaku?!

In truth, the ANBU and Root had always monitored the Uchiha Clan's every move.

The Third Hokage and Danzo Shimura had long since learned that "Uchiha Gōka had replaced Uchiha Fugaku."

Thus, when they saw Uchiha Gōka attending the meeting, they were merely startled, not particularly surprised.

In their eyes, Uchiha Gōka could not stir up much trouble.

The Third Hokage swept his gaze across the venue, then slowly turned to the daimyo.

"Everyone attending is here. I believe the meeting can begin."

"Mhm! Let the meeting begin!"

Wearing a fan-shaped hat and holding a folding fan, the daimyo of the Land of Fire said with a smile.

As was customary, the Third Hokage gave his report, detailing Konoha Village's recent development.

When he reached the matter of Konoha Village's problems—

The Third Hokage looked around at everyone in the venue.

"Does anyone have any issues they wish to raise?"

No one spoke.

After a moment of silence, the Third Hokage was about to speak.

"Since no one has any issues to raise..."

Suddenly, a clear, resonant, and forceful voice interrupted him.

"Wait! I have an issue!"

Before everyone, Uchiha Gōka spoke neither humbly nor arrogantly.

"I demand that the Uchiha Clan be moved from the remote area near the prison back to the village center!"

As those words fell, everyone's hearts trembled!

All eyes turned toward Uchiha Gōka.

At that moment, Uchiha Gōka became the focus of the entire room.

A youthful smile appeared on Might Duy's lips as he thought, Karmic Fire, you really brought it up.

Hatake Sakumo nodded lightly. As long as we support Karmic Fire, Yehuo Snack Shop will be able to operate normally.

Yūhi Shinku pondered to himself. Mhm! We held a secret meeting at Karmic Fire's home and reached an agreement.

Orochimaru curled his lips into a sinister smile. Karmic Fire, I will support you.

However, several people in the venue immediately grew solemn, frowning as they looked at Uchiha Gōka.

Danzo Shimura's old face darkened. What is this Uchiha Gōka up to?

Why did he suddenly raise such a ridiculous issue?

How could the Uchiha Clan possibly move into the village center?

Koharu Utatane said, "How laughable!"

"The Uchiha Clan is a hidden danger to the village!"

"They absolutely cannot move into the village center!"

"That is impossible!"

Upon hearing Uchiha Gōka's words, the Third Hokage's expression froze instantly!

The Third Hokage knew that this issue involved historical baggage and could not be resolved in a short time.

After thinking briefly, the Third Hokage intended to brush Uchiha Gōka off for now and deal with it slowly in the future.

Just as the Third Hokage was about to speak...

At that moment, the daimyo of the Land of Fire suddenly became interested and spoke first.

"Hm?"

"I remember that the Uchiha Clan was one of the great clans that founded the ninja village."

"Why do they need to move into the village center?"

Uchiha Gōka slowly spoke, his voice clear and bright.

"Our Uchiha Clan originally lived in the village's core area."

"Later, during the Second Hokage's era, there were concerns about unrest at Konoha Prison."

"So our Uchiha Clan was sent to live near the prison in the remote outskirts, where we maintained the village's peace and made great contributions to the village."

"Now, the hidden danger at Konoha Prison no longer exists."

"Our Uchiha Clan no longer needs to continue living near the prison in the remote outskirts."

"I demand that the entire Uchiha Clan be moved to the central area of the village!"

After hearing Uchiha Gōka's response, the Third Hokage's heart jolted. For a moment, he could not think of a suitable reason to refuse.

Danzo Shimura was furious, his brows shooting upward. How could they allow the Uchiha to return to the prosperous center of the village?!

Koharu Utatane's expression was also extremely unpleasant.

The daimyo of the Land of Fire raised his fan and gently fanned himself, looking thoughtful...

Suddenly, an aide seated on the left spoke.

"I believe the Uchiha Clan head has a point."

"The Uchiha Clan has contributed to Konoha Village, and its task has been completed."

"Under such circumstances, the Uchiha Clan should be allowed to return to the prosperous center of the village."

The daimyo of the Land of Fire waved his fan, a smile appearing on his face.

"Mhm! It is decided!"

"Allow the Uchiha Clan to move back to the prosperous center of Konoha Village."

Hearing the daimyo's decision, the entire venue erupted in an uproar.

Might Duy said, "Oh? Looks like it went quite smoothly."

Hatake Sakumo said, "It seems Clan Head Karmic Fire does not need our support after all."

Yūhi Shinku looked toward Konoha's higher-ups. "The atmosphere in the venue seems a little off. Over on Konoha's side..."

The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, wore a long face, his expression grim and unsightly.

Hiruzen Sarutobi had firmly carried out the Second Hokage's policies and did not want the Uchiha Clan to return to the prosperous center of the village.

But now, the daimyo of the Land of Fire had agreed.

For a moment, the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, did not know how to refuse the daimyo.

"Um... this..."

Koharu Utatane frowned, her eyes glinting viciously as she glared fiercely at Uchiha Gōka.

Danzo Shimura ground his teeth, so enraged that his gums itched, before suddenly rising to his feet.

"Lord Daimyo!"

"Moving the Uchiha Clan to the prosperous center of the village must take Konoha's actual circumstances into consideration."

"The prosperous central district of Konoha, where the Uchiha once lived, has long since become a commercial district. There is simply no way for them to move there."

The daimyo of the Land of Fire was immediately troubled.

"Ah? There is no room in the village center."

"What should we do, then?"

Uchiha Gōka slowly spoke.

"The area where the Uchiha once gathered has now become a commercial district."

"However, the Senju Clan has dwindled in numbers. The area where they once lived now stands vacant."

"We can move to the place where the Senju Clan once lived."

A smile immediately appeared on the daimyo of the Land of Fire's face.

"Mhm! Then that settles it!"

The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, spoke with a grave expression.

"Lord Daimyo, I believe this matter still requires further consideration."

Hiruzen Sarutobi wanted to drag the matter out and leave it unresolved until it was abandoned.

Uchiha Gōka immediately refuted him. "There is nothing to delay about this matter!"

"Our Uchiha Clan has contributed to the village, and now we demand to move to the place where the Senju Clan once lived."

A cruel glint flashed across Danzo Shimura's face, and a sinister smile appeared at the corner of his mouth.

"Lord Daimyo, I believe we can hold a vote among everyone present."

"If everyone agrees to Clan Head Karmic Fire's request—"

"Then the meeting will decide that the Uchiha Clan shall move back to the center of Konoha Village—to the area where the Senju Clan once lived!"

"Otherwise..."

The daimyo of the Land of Fire tapped his folding fan against his palm.

"Mhm! Good!"

"Let us do that!"